Page 20 - Thetha Issue 6

GRADUATION

“Dreams do

come true. I came
to this country
with nothing but
dreams, hope and
determination”

Popina Khumanda

Long walk to freedom bears fruit for brave refugee

opina Khumanda travelled The young entrepreneur has my day to come … so that I could get
6000km on foot to South also created a website for her hair away from that pain and suffering.”
P Africa after fleeing the business, Urban Doll Factory, where Diane and Popina escaped, and
Democratic Republic of Congo to she sells wigs and weaves online to the younger girl was taken in by a
escape captivity and abuse. pay for rent, food and transport to children’s home in Despatch. Barely
Her traumatic childhood ended university. able to read or write, Popina jumped
in triumph with a Diploma in IT from Her journey began 26 years ago straight to Grade 4 within six months
Mandela University. in the village of Zongo. She grew up and learnt to speak fluent Afrikaans.
“Dreams do come true. I came to climbing trees and running freely in Her sister is now married with
this country with nothing but dreams, the Congo rainforest. children, and employed.
hope and determination,” says When she was five, Popina’s “This Diploma is in honour of the
Popina, who started school at the village was attacked by rebels who refugees living in this country; to all
age of 10. “Witnessing [my dreams] killed many people, burned down the girls who are being killed every
come to life is overwhelming.” huts and kidnapped little girls and day, sold every day, and sexually,
She is currently working at Cape boys. She and her older sister, Diane, physically and emotionally abused
Town-based AgileHuts, where she were taken to be traded for guns, every day.
is training to be a ScrumMaster. oil, money and cars, while boys were “I want you to know that I have
Scrum is a framework for project turned into soldiers. been there – and finding the strength
management that emphasises During her five years in captivity, to pull yourself out and say, ‘enough
teamwork, accountability and she was “raped, tortured, and lived in is enough’, is not easy. I pray that my
repeating progress towards a well- pain. Watching so many people die, story gives you strength, and gives
defined goal. and I just kept waiting and praying for you hope to fight for your dreams.”

20 | Thetha Edition 6 | 2022